Solano County Biographies
JOHN FARNHAM
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
Clothing, Gents� Furnishing Goods, Trunks and Valises. The subject of this
sketch was born in Bucksport, Maine, in 1840, and in 1860 took to the sea as a
profession, which he followed for four years. In the natural course of his
calling he arrived in San Francisco in 1863, and proceeding to Mare Island he at
once obtained employment in the Navy Yard. In 1867 he returned to his native
town and engaged in the hardware business, under the style and firm of S. A. &
J. Farnham. In 1868 he disposed of his interest in that firm and one more
returning to California came to Vallejo and established his present business,
under the name of Farnham & Voorhees, which partnership continued until the year
1871, since when he has been alone. Mr. F. has also a dry goods business in
Salem, Oregon. Vallejo has few more public spirited citizens than John Farnham.
In 1877 he was elected to fill the chair of the Republican County Committee;
again in 1878 the like honor was conferred upon him, and, never being
behind-hand where duty in the public interest is demanded, he has served on the
Board of Education, and filled other responsible offices. In 1868 Mr. Farnham
married Mary L., daughter of Andrew J. Ketcham, of Brandon, Vt., who was born
in 1841. In this connection an episode occurred which may here be mentioned:
When returning home, in 1867, the �Santiago de Cuba,� the steamer on which he
had taken passage, was wrecked on the coast of New Jersey, near the city of
Atlantic; seven of the passengers were drowned, but Mr. Farnham, at the imminent
risk of his own life, succeeded in saving that of Miss Ketcham, the young lady
whom a year later he made his bride. The union so romantically forecast has
been blessed by three children, John W., Frank B., and Mary Louise.
History of Solano County�. � San Francisco, Cal. - Wood, Alley & Co., East
Oakland, pub 1879, pp 348